Reluctant hero stopped van toppling over cliff

His bosses think he's Superman, but he's had not a word of thanks from those he saved.

Sergeant Keith Mitchell has been praised for saving two men's lives by clinging to the bumper of their van as it teetered over an 8m bank.

The drama began when the Rotorua police dog handler was driving back from an armed offenders squad callout early on Saturday and was flagged down by a motorist worried about a van parked dangerously on Paradise Valley Rd.

Mr Mitchell approached the van, which had its engine running and was parked in the middle of the road, but it sped off. However, instead of making a safe escape, the van veered left and ended up with its front wheels over the bank and one back wheel in the air.

"All I could do was grab the rear bumper of the van and stop it going over the cliff," Mr Mitchell said.

He held on, yelling at the men to climb out the driver's side. But they wouldn't budge.

Mr Mitchell had to stay where he was, unable to get back to his patrol car or use his radio. "I was stuck there until someone came along."

Luckily, another officer on her way home from the callout did so. Detective Mahara Alcock radioed for backup and dragged the driver out of the van. He was later charged with drink driving.

The other man slipped out the passenger side and helped the officers hold the van until backup arrived, but neither man offered thanks.

Rotorua tactical response manager Inspector Steve Bullock said it was disappointing that the men had not acknowledged Mr Mitchell's efforts. "For all intents and purposes, he's saved their lives."

Mr Bullock said Mr Mitchell had put his own life at risk and his courage was in the best tradition of police. "Our core role is to protect life and property. He's been true to his oath of office."

On a lighter note, he added: "He's been getting a bit of stick from here about leaping tall buildings."

But Mr Mitchell was anxious to downplay the Superman comparisons. "I'm a reluctant hero," he said.

He also downplayed the effort that went into holding the one-tonne Mitsubishi L300 van, saying only that it was heavy and his concern grew as the minutes ticked by.